District F: Coronavirus Update, April 15

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE

After a conference call with Walgreens today, our office is pleased to announce that Walgreens will be opening a testing site in District F!

LOCATION: 14531 Westheimer RD, 77082 (an old Walgreens building at Westheimer and Highway 6)
DATE: Beginning Friday, April 17th, 2020

Drive-thru
- Open 7 days a week 9am-5pm
- First come, first served
- Rapid results: several hours or up to 1-2 days
Make an appointment online FIRST
- https://www.walgreens.com/topic/findcare/find-my-clinical-trial/COVID-19
- FREE to everyone, including the uninsured
- Everyone can make an appointment but 1st responders, healthcare workers with symptoms, and seniors will be prioritized, as requested by the US Department of Health and Human Services

Today, Mayor Turner recapped some of the latest developments regarding the City’s response to the coronavirus pandemic:

As of 4/15/20, there were a total of 2,331 confirmed cases and 26 deaths in Houston.
The 2 City testing sites are now able to conduct 500 tests each per day. Call the Health Department’s COVID-19 call center at (832) 393-4220 to be screened and directed to one of the City’s sites. These sites are to supplement private testing and testing that you can receive through your healthcare provider.
Russell Westbrook has donated 650 laptops to Houston students.
Reliant has donated $300K to the Greater Houston COVID-19 Recovery Fund.

Here were the notable Agenda items passed at Council:

#10 – Ordinance amending  Chapter 28 of The Code of Ordinances, relating to Human Trafficking Training Certification
- Requires training  for all employees, certification to the City that the training has occurred, post signage on human trafficking indicators with local law  enforcement and the national hotline contact information and provides penalties for non-compliance.
- Adopting this ordinance is a proactive approach and is consistent with the city’s comprehensive municipal response to increasing human trafficking victim  identification.
- The city of Houston will be the second city in the country after Baltimore to have an ordinance that requires trafficking training and certification.
#16 – Ordinance approving and authorizing term sheets defining the parameters of amendments to agreements between City of Houston, Texas, and existing airlines, airport concessionaires and rental car companies to defer payments for a 90-day period and defer certain other requirements until December 31, 2021 Pursuant to their City Airport Contracts, due to the impacts of the Local and National State of Disaster resulting from the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
- agreements between the City of Houston, Texas, and existing airlines, airport concessionaires, and rental car companies to defer payments for a 90-day period and defer certain other requirements until December 31, 2021, pursuant to their City airport contracts, due to the impacts of the local and national state of disaster resulting from the COVID-19 public health emergency

During Council Meeting, Council Member Thomas raised awareness of the ongoing housing crisis and the need for landlords to continue to work with residents. She has recently spoken with Karya Properties, Ashford Communities, and Dakota Enterprises regarding rental assistance. We will provide an update with a database of resources for renters shortly. In the Pop-Off section, she praised District F resident, Cheryl Angell, for making protective masks for her family and neighbors.

CLICK BELOW TO VIEW CM THOMAS’S REMARKS

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CIP PROJECT: CHELFORD CITY DIVERSION PACKAGE #1

Public Works has provided an update regarding the construction on this project along Westpark Dr. Thank you to Jeff Baker of Super Neighborhood 17 for helping to inform residents as well.

Construction work expanded West of S. Dairy Ashford, Effective Friday, April 10th
- Westbound traffic on Westpark is being routed to the south lanes, much the same as they are through Shadowlake. Several intersections will be under construction at once (between Ashfield and Ashloch), but north and southbound traffic on those streets will not be impeded. Please view the map of the impacted area.
Traffic Signal Changes, Effective Monday April 14th
- At the corner of Westpark and West Houston Center, there are signal changes that impact left turns, in an effort to alleviate traffic.

SUPER NEIGHBORHOOD 20

CIP PROJECT: BRIARMEADOW AREA DRAINAGE AND PAVING IMPROVEMENTS

Please be advised that construction on this CIP project began on April 14, 2020 and is anticipated to be completed in March 2022. For more information, please refer to this FAQ.

SUPER NEIGHBORHOOD 25

THE ALIEF ISD CURBSIDE MEAL PROGRAM HAS ADDED LANDIS ELEMENTARY AS AN ADDITIONAL SITE AND WILL CONTINUE THROUGH MAY 1ST.

SPANISH

THE PEOPLE’S CHAMP

On Monday, April 13th, NOVA Church and its members, in partnership with the Houston Food Bank and Alief ISD, gave out produce, non-perishable food, and water to over 3,600 individuals. In our community’s time of greatest need, they have stepped up and met the challenge.

On Tuesday, April 14th, KPRC ran a story on Cheryl Angell, an Alief resident who has been making over 100 masks for friends and neighbors in the community, and says she has enough material to make 5,000 masks. This is the perfect example of a feel-good story, and what we need more of right now.

DEMOLITION OF THE ALIEF COMMUNITY CENTER IS NOW ON TRACK FOR MONDAY, APRIL 20TH. We will continue to relay any updates.

To reserve a brick, please use this form.

IN MEMORIAM

William A. Duncan Jr. Obituary

On Tuesday, April 7, 2020, William Ashmay Duncan Jr., a loving husband and father of two children, including our Chief of Staff Cherrelle Duncan, and grandfather of one grandson, passed away at the age of 59.

William was a retired Army Veteran and served as a recruiter shaping the lives of thousands across the State of Louisiana. Before his passing, he served as a member of the Pride of Lafayette #240 AF&AM, served as a member of the Kiwanis Club, served as a photographer for his church, Gethsemane Church of God in Christ, as well as the First Jurisdiction of Louisiana. His dream was fulfilled in November 2019, when he served, alongside his family and friends, homeless men and women through his newly founded nonprofit, Ashmay Seeds of Abraham.

Mr. Duncan stated that he was proud to see his daughter serve the people of District F. He encouraged her each day to work hard and with integrity. The Duncan family would like to thank each person who has sent condolences during this time.